Novel treatment of diabetic retinopathy – what does the general practitioner need to know?
General Medicine, 2023, 25(2), 52-57.
Ch. Vidinova1, M. Konakchieva2, A. Koeva3
1 Department of Ophthalmology, Military Medical Academy ‒ Sofia
2 Department of Gastroenterology, Military Medical Academy ‒ Sofia
3 Department of Optics and spectroscopy, Physics Faculty, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski
Abstract. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a socially significant disease. It is estimated that by 2025, cases of diabetic retinopathy would double. Diabetic changes in the eye can be presented in two clinical forms: non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy can present with diabetic macular edema leading to severe impairment of visual acuity. Intraretinal fluid collects in the macula from the microaneurysmally dilated vessels, the walls of which have altered permeability. The most common complaints with which patients appear at the general practitioner are: metamorphopsia – distortions of straight lines; reduced contrast sensitivity; central scotoma – a dark spot before the eye; reduced to complete loss of central vision; diaper in front of the eye – in case of hemorrhages, detachment of the retina. Modern ophthalmology has drugs – intravitreal injections – with which to influence the development of DME. Therapeutic agent regimens for the treatment of DR are presented in detail.
Key words: DME, intravitreal injections, general practitioner
Address for correspondence: Christina Vidinova, DM, e-mail: christinavidinova@yahoo.com